Look: Mama bear's heroic dive to save cubs

Jul. 16, 2014
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by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

In a river in Katmai National Park in southern Alaska -- a park known for its brown bears -- a mother bear leapt to protect two of her cubs as they slid down a waterfall. What's at the bottom of the waterfall?

A fearsome bear looking to attack the swimming baby cubs.

Male bears will attack younger bears if they are irritated or hungry, said Don Moore, the associate director for animal care at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

"All he sees is a little food packet," Moore said.

Another theory why male bears attack cubs is to bring the female back into heat so she will have his cubs, but whether this motivation extends to male bears is still speculative.

Whatever the male bear's reason may be, this mama proves just why you shouldn't mess with her family. See the mother's protective instincts in the heartwarming video below.